Charles B. Hall '42 played an important role in the true story behind the new film "Red Tails." As a member of World War II's famous Tuskegee Airmen, Hall was the first African-American pilot to ever shoot down an enemy plane.

Hall, who had been a standout athlete at Eastern, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his valor. In the accompanying photo from the U.S. Air Force, Hall is congratulated by Maj. Gen. John Kenneth Cannon.

• Russow: Chicago police officer by night, UFC fighter by day
• Goldfarb doesn't let learning disability stop him from seeking Ph.D.
• Sweet known as one of basketball's greatest teachers of free-throw technique
• Alzheimer's educator Weiss offers advice to caregivers
• Drews, Enterprise agent from Aurora, featured in car-rental commercial
• Duzan honored as Illinois Drafting Teacher of the Year
• Ormiston's 'Creating a Digital-Rich Classroom' named 'book of the year'
• School psychologist Schultz wins state award

There are no better recruiters for EIU than its loyal alumni. If you know a high school or transfer student who would make a great asset to our university, encourage them to apply. Eastern is on rolling admission, meaning we will continue to accept applications as long as space permits.

For more information, check out the Admissions website. Interested in learning more about our various scholarship opportunities? Visit EIU's Scholarship Search.

• Members of the Alumni Association now have the opportunity to purchase tickets to our annual summer baseball outings before they are offered to non-members. For more information or to order tickets, check out the links below.
  • May 13: Atlanta Braves vs. St. Louis Cardinals
  • June 22: Milwaukee Brewers vs. Chicago White Sox
  • July 13: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Chicago Cubs
• Tickets are also on sale for the May 12 EIU Alumni Night on Broadway featuring "Jersey Boys" at the Bank of America Theater in Chicago. Get yours today!
• EIU alumna Carol Barnes '87 will host an Atlanta Alumni Social on Feb. 23 at Taco Mac. Chow down on complimentary appetizers and get cool EIU freebies. RSVP today!
• If you're a former member of the Daily Eastern News staff, mark your calendar for Homecoming 2012 (Oct. 12-13), when we'll host an on-campus reunion in your honor. Details will be mailed out this summer. To make sure you're on the mailing list, please e-mail dennewsalumni@eiu.edu with your name, graduation year and current address.
• The Alumni Association is now accepting nominations for the Distinguished Senior Awards. Up to 25 recipients will be chosen and recognized during a luncheon held in their honor on Saturday, April 28. The nomination deadline is March 9.
• The Buzzard Lab School Reunion is officially set for Aug. 3-4. If you attended the school at any point in time, please complete this form to be added to the mailing list. Additional information will be mailed out this summer.